Kasinathaswami Temple, Ambasamudram – Legends
Sage Kashyapa had darshan of Lord Shiva:
Sage
Kashyapa performed a Yagna dedicated to Lord Shiva and had the Darshan of
Lord. The sage begged the Lord for a Linga for his puja and he was
granted the wish. The sage installed the Linga now known as Kashyapa
Linga and later changed as Kasipa Linga.
Kannadian Canal:
A king
of Kerala fell ill which could not be cured by the best physicians of that
day. A voice advised the king to make a doll of black dhil (Ellu),
transfer the disease to the doll and donate it to a Brahmin. King
followed the advice. A poor Karnataka Brahmin youth accepted the
doll donation. The king also gifted to him valuable gems and
diamonds. The doll became alive and told the youth that it would leave him
if he parted with it half the benefit of the Gayathri mantra chanting he had
done so far. The youth agreed and freed him from the disease he acquired
from the king through the doll.
The
youth wanted to spend the material gifts he got for a public
cause. He proceeded to Pothigai hills to seek the advice of Sage
Agasthya. Before leaving, he left his valuables with the Archaka of the
temple to get it back after his return. The Archaka gave the youth a dal
bag when he returned saying it was the bag he was given originally. The youth
took the case to the king.
When
asked to depose before the Lord, the priest unhesitatingly spoke lie in the
temple. Angry Lord burnt the priest. The youth begged the Lord to
restore the priest to life again and the merciful Lord responded to youth’s
prayer. Based on this event, Lord Shiva is named Erithatkondar and
Erichudayar. Erithal in Tamil means burning. The first puja is
dedicated to Erithatkondar in the temple.
The
youth spent the wealth he got from the king by digging a canal known as Kannadian (native of Karnataka) canal which passes through between Kallidaikurichi and Ambasamudram.
Even after burning the priest for his fraud, Lord did not become normal in
temperament and continued to be furious. Mother Parvathi requested
Lord Vishnu to cool him down and restore him to mercy as before. Perumal
brought Shiva to normalcy. Perumal graces in the temple from a shrine opposite
Shiva shrine.
Saivapuranam:
In the
Saivapuranam, the 9 chapters from 23 to 31 explain the glory of this temple
only.
Salvation Place:
An
Eagle, a Brahmmachari, 4 doves, a King called Vasumanan got salvation here.
People who worshipped Shiva here:
Agasthiar,
Kashyapa, Vasumanan and Brahmin Kannadian worshipped Shiva here.
Confluence of Seven Theerthams:
It is
believed that Tamirabarani is a confluence of Seven Theerthams – Devi, Shala,
Kasipa, Kirumikara, Deepa Kokila etc. Lord visits the river on
Thaipoosam, Thai new moon day and Chithirai first day.